Marvel eyeing Creed director Ryan Coogler to helm Black Panther

Marvel is still searching for a director for Black Panther, having seen first choice Ava DuVernay pass on the project, and F. Gary Gray rule himself out by accepting the Furious 8 gig. However, according to Heroic Hollywood, the studio has now identified a Plan C in the form of Creed director Ryan Coogler.

It's unclear just how far negotiations have progressed (if at all), but it is understood that Coogler would be open to a big tentpole project, after making Hollywood pay attention with his work on Fruitvale Station and Creed. He’d certainly represent an interesting choice, being in the same “acclaimed filmmaker” category as DuVernay and Gray.

At present, the production has a screenwriter in Joe Robert Cole and a star in Chadwick Boseman, so filling the director’s chair is very much the next priority on Marvel’s list. The film will open on February 16 2018, with the titular character set to make his debut in next year’s Captain America: Civil War.